Organizers of a men’s conference this fall hope to dispel myths that men have to solve their problems on their own.
The conference, Leave No Man Behind – Get the MANswers, is aimed at workplace, health and life issues specific to men.
Clarence Hastings, a rural community director with Camrose and District Support Services and one of the organizers of the conference slated for Oct. 1, said the idea for the conference came from last year’s agricultural drought and the downturn in the oil and gas industry that created stress in families.
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Hastings said local social service agencies began to see a lot of “family discourse” from the difficult times.
During the boom times, many of the men had been absentee parents. When they returned home, they often had troubles with depression, addiction and fitting back into the family.
“It started to hit home really hard,” said Hastings.
Organizers looked at successful women’s conferences and the Edmonton-based support group, Men Without Hats, as possible templates for the men’s conference in Camrose, Alta.
Speakers and course conductors include county musician Danny Hooper and Dan Ohler, who is a counsellor and author ofThinking Outside the Barn.
Colin Millang will also talk about his transition to a successful employee from a farmer after he lost his farm.
“We want to let men know there are services available,” said Hastings.
“It has a lot to do with the stereotype of men and the belief that they have to deal with things by themselves and not be dependent on anyone.”
The conference will also have information and education sessions on services for coping with suicide, depression and employment issues.
Hastings hopes the participants will continue to meet and stay connected after the conference ends.
